If ever you have dreamed, as I have, about doing what I am doing, I could not recommend this school enough. I have begun my delightfully authentic incredibly charming cooking school here in Lecce, which is named with utter perfection, The Awaiting Table.

First you must, read all about them on their website awaitingtable.com and then, if the school moves you as much as it did me, get your ass on a plane and come here. It’s time. If not now, when. This has been my motto as of late and that is exactly why I am here. Happy and beautifully blissed out in Italia!

Silverstro, the charming creator and chef and wine extraordinaire, welcomed me with the open arms of an old friend I haven’t seen in years because he decided to move to Italy. He’s passionate and fun and loves, not only a lot of amazing food and incredible wine, but also his authentic appreciation for the Italian culture is contagious and I find myself feeling like a local, integrated into this lovely town of Lecce.

This is the schools last week of classes before their summer break, so fortunately for me this class is small with only 3 other students — a wonderful family who live very upstate NYC, near the Canadian boarder. Dorothy (or Dot if you prefer) Jeff and their son Ted. We are all having a ball together, in and out of the kitchen.

So…yes…on to the FOOD. The produce, the olive oil, the olives, the bread, the fruits, the cheese… let me just say simply… is unbelievable. We are making rustic, authentic to the area, seasonal dishes with love and connection and most importantly simplicity. We then, sit down together for lunch and dinner, Silverstro opens a bottle (or 2) of local wine and we share our accomplishments in the kitchen family style. Perfecto!

We start off walking into the school with a blackboard posting our Menu for the day. Our first day on the menu:

Now, as you know or even if you don’t know me you should know I don’t eat shellfish. Haven’t in many many years. The sea is so polluted and the amount of mercury and toxins in the water is only getting worse in shellfish, so no shellfish for me. BUT…since I am in Lecce…F-it. They are known for there mussels here in Lecce. They get it from the step of the boot in a town called Tartano, only a few miles away. In the Adriatic. I mean, I would be a fool to pass this opportunity up. Gotta try one. Ha! One became many. Then soaked the bread in the juice and yes then…I was hooked. Incredibly fresh, sweet, tender, delicious.

Then our second course, or Primo as they call it here, was homemade pasta. Homemade eggless pasta. Each region in Italy makes different pasta and here in Lecce they use 2 different flours. A combination of 70% Semolina and 30% Barley. The combo makes it a vegan whole grain pasta which is very nice.

This was my first attempt to make homemade pasta and I gotta say, it was much easier than I thought. Any monkie can do it. Flour and water. Mix, knead, roll, cut, dry, boil, drain and serve with any sauce you like. We made Cappelletti Messicani pasta with fresh tomatoes, rugola, olive oil, sea salt and shaved hard caccio ricotta cheese.

The Secondo (and last) dish was Pesce al Cartoccio con Contorni. Otherwise known as Tuna with a raw sauce of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, marjoram, red pepper and sea salt. I know, Tuna is high in mercury so I never eat it anymore but I am sure you are already saying what I am about to write… f-it! And our wine was white, Tenuta Marina 2009 from Salento.

YUM. Italia. Divine. LECCE!

http://www.deliciousdestinations.tv Gypsy Racco-Sheldon

Hi Aria,
My name is Gypsy (friend of Eden’s and mother of one of Kylie’s best friends – Isabella). Eden told me about your blog, and guess what???? I have been talking about taking cooking classes in bella Italia!!! Next Summer I will do it. You’ve inspired me. In the meantime, my younger daughter, Luma and I arrive in Bari on August 12th and were counting on driving down to Lecce. Would you want to have lunch with us while we’re in the area? On the 13th or 14th? Email me if you like. : ) Gypsy

Damien

wow…looks so good..nice weather to eat with my wife outside watchen the sun go down with some nice wine..mmm

Kate

Oh I am so excited and can't believe I just won. Wanted to try the soup on this issue of G Living but my old immersion blender has died.. Thank you very much

K

http://acimessentials.com Patricia

i won?
i won!
i love my breville juicer.
this little blender will be a welcome
addition to my kitchen.
THANK YOU!